The Country Club of the South's Reinvention featured in Club & Resort Business

Nov
2012
30

When ClubCorp acquired The Country Club of the South in Johns Creek, Ga., during the summer of 2010, it was in dire need of a transformation, both in its’ physical appearance and in the way things were run.

“Internal success breeds into external success,” said Mike Selk, food and beverage director at the Club and ClubCorp Southeast regional food and beverage director. “We streamlined our operations and changed everything, from menus to opening and closing procedures. Our staff morale improved and this really shows through the Membership.”

One example was when Selk, along with his food service staff of 40, discovered that a large majority of their diners were interested in wine, and wanted more opportunities to learn about it. So they decided to host events centered around wine, tastings, wine dinners, clubs and sales. Eventually, Members were beginning to buy their wine directly from the Club.

“The important thing to do is to really get involved in the Membership and really figure out what they want,” said Selk. “People won’t actually notice the dining room is different if all they want is more programming.”

During his regular interaction with the company’s national management team, Selk pays attention to what unique programs were having success and good reception at the other Clubs.

“One of the advantages of my position is I get to steal all the time,” Selk said humorously. “I have 12 Clubs of my own, and I regularly get emails from other regional directors. I steal ideas from the others shamelessly.”

The implimentation of great programs, impecible service standards and a steller newly reinvented Clubhouse resulted in a surge in sales and Membership, and is what makes The Country Club of the South the success that it is today.

Congratulations to Selk, Service Director Chad Barnicoat and the entire staff at the Club for keeping up with company standards and always striving for excellence. Keep up the good work!